Prevention and support initiatives

The University has invested in a number of initiatives to prevent harassment and sexual misconduct and to support students who have experienced harassment and sexual misconduct. Following a successful bid to the Higher Education Funding Council England (HEFCE), the collegiate University has been able to pilot an even wider range of initiatives. All of these initiatives are being evaluated by Cambridge Hub during the next academic year for impact and effectiveness. The outcomes of this evaluation will influence long-term strategy on appropriate prevention and support mechanisms.

Students' Union led consent workshops

Student representatives from each College receive training and material from the Students' Union that enables them to run a face to face consent workshop for first year students. These workshops take place during freshers week and provide information to students about the nature of consent.

Consent Matters - online course

From September 2017, the University will be promoting an online course to students which focuses on sexual consent and to promote positive change in the University community. This online course will be available to all students, but will be particularly aimed at returning students and postgraduate students, who may not have the opportunity to attend a consent workshop.

Good Lad workshops

The University Sports Centre and Cambridge Hub are working with the Good Lad Initiative (GLI) to establish a facilitator hub in Cambridge. GLI Cambridge will train facilitators to run workshops for sports teams, college socities and social groups. These workshops create a dialogue about issues relating to gender and present a new framework within which to think about actions and consequences.

Intervention Initiative

A number of Colleges are piloting the Intervention Initiative, an eight hour staff facilitate bystander training programme, first developed at the University of the West of England.

Staff training on student disclosures of sexual assault

The University, in partnership with Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre, is running a series of two hour workshops for all College and University staff regarding how to appropriately respond to a disclosure of sexual assault or rape. The briefing includes information about the prevalence and attitudes around seual assault and rape, as well as the College and University systems in place to support and investigate any sexual misconduct.

Sexual Assault Advisor

In the academic year 2017-18, a new role within the University Counselling Service is being introduced to provide specialist support to those students who have experienced sexual assault. This advisor will be able to inform students of the internal and external support and reporting routes and provide advice and support to students.

Evaluation

The evaluation of all of these projects is being undertaken by Cambridge Hub, a student-led group that supports students to tackle social challenges, learn about issues and connect with each other.